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WASHINGTON, Nov. 8, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Veterans Day originated as "Armistice Day" on Nov. 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I. Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance, and Nov. 11 became a national holiday beginning in 1938. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation in 1954 to change the name to Veterans Day as a way to honor those who served in all American wars. The day honors military veterans with parades and speeches across the nation. A national ceremony takes place at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

11.3%Percent of black veterans in 2012. Additionally, 5.7 percent were Hispanic; 1.3 percent were Asian; 0.8 percent were American Indian or Alaska Native; 0.2 percent were Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander; and 79.6 percent were non-Hispanic white. (The numbers for blacks, Asians, American Indians and Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians and Other Pacific Islanders, and non-Hispanic whites cover only those reporting a single race.)Source: 2012 American Community Survey http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/12_1YR/S2101

7.4 millionNumber of Vietnam-era veterans in 2012. Moreover, there were 5.4 million who served during the Gulf Wars (representing service from August 1990 to present); 1.6 million who served in World War II (1941-1945); 2.3 million who served in the Korean War (1950-1953); and 5.3 million who served in peacetime only.Source: 2012 American Community Survey http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/12_1YR/B21002

54,117Number of living veterans in 2012 who served during the Vietnam era and both Gulf War eras and no other period. Other living veterans in 2012 who served during three wars:

The number who served during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam era, 50,004, was not statistically different than the number who served during the Vietnam era and both Gulf War eras.

Living veterans in 2012 who served during two wars and no other period:

933,315 served during both Gulf War eras.

307,376 served during both Gulf War ( August 1990 to August 2001) and Vietnam era.

3.6 millionNumber of veterans with a service-connected disability rating in 2012. Of this number, 881,981 had a rating of 70 percent or higher. A "service-connected" disability is one that was a result of a disease or injury incurred or aggravated during active military service. Severity of one's disability is scaled from 0 to 100 percent, and eligibility for compensation depends on one's rating.

1 in 4The ratio of veterans under the age of 65 who had multiple types of health insurance coverage; four out of five veterans 65 and over had more than one type of health insurance coverage. Source: 2012 American Community Survey microdata

11.1 millionThe number of veterans 18 years and over covered by employer-sponsored health insurance; 9.9 million covered by Medicare; 6.1 million covered by VA health care; 4.0 million covered by direct purchase insurance; 3.1 million covered by TRICARE; and 1.7 million covered by Medicaid. These numbers are not mutually exclusive. Individuals can have more than one type of health insurance coverage. Source: 2012 American Community Survey microdata

9.2 millionThe number of veterans age 65 and over covered by Medicare; 4.1 million covered by employer-sponsored health insurance; 3.1 million covered by VA health care; 3.1 million covered by direct-purchase insurance; 1.3 million covered by TRICARE; and 878,00 covered by Medicaid. These numbers are not mutually exclusive. Individuals can have more than one type of health insurance coverage. Source: 2012 American Community Survey microdata

1.2 millionThe number of veterans 18 year and over who lacked health insurance in 2012. Of this number, 15,700 were veterans age 65 and over. Source: 2012 American Community Survey microdata

Note: These estimates include the civilian noninstitutionalized population of veterans 18 years and over living in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. They exclude active-duty military personnel and the population living in correctional facilities and nursing homes.